EPS12V to ATX GES Conversion Cable FAQ
What is ATX GES?
ATX GES is a power supply form factor. This form factor was originally developed for AMD’s Athlon MP dual processor motherboards. This form factor was required due to the increased power demands of the Athlon MP processor.
Who uses it?
The majority of the power supplies today utilizes the EPS12V form factor, which is similar to the original ATX12V form factor that everybody utilized. The ATX GES form factor is used primarily by AMD Athlon MP dual processor motherboards. Please check with your motherboard manual to see if you require an ATX GES form factor power supply. The older types of AMD dual processor motherobard such as Tyan Thunder K7X (S2468) and Tyan Thunder K7 (S2462) motherboards utilize ATX GES.
What will happen if I use an EPS12V power supply in a motherboard that requires ATX GES or vice versa?
1) Motherboard will not power up
2) The connection may cause a short circuit and burn out your motherboard and/or power supply
How do we tell if our power supply is ATX GES compliant?
First check the power supply label to see if it specifies whether the power supply is ATX, EPS12V, or ATX GES. If the power supply label does not specify which form factor it follows, look for the baseboard connector. The baseboard connector is usually the biggest connector leading from the power supply and is usually labeled P1.
The regular ATX form factor is easy to identify because the baseboard connector has only twenty pins. However, both the ATX GES and EPS12V have twenty-four pin connectors. Therefore, to differentiate between ATX GES and EPS12V connectors, you will have to use the color wiring schemes below.
ATX GES is a power supply form factor. This form factor was originally developed for AMD’s Athlon MP dual processor motherboards. This form factor was required due to the increased power demands of the Athlon MP processor.
Who uses it?
The majority of the power supplies today utilizes the EPS12V form factor, which is similar to the original ATX12V form factor that everybody utilized. The ATX GES form factor is used primarily by AMD Athlon MP dual processor motherboards. Please check with your motherboard manual to see if you require an ATX GES form factor power supply. The older types of AMD dual processor motherobard such as Tyan Thunder K7X (S2468) and Tyan Thunder K7 (S2462) motherboards utilize ATX GES.
What will happen if I use an EPS12V power supply in a motherboard that requires ATX GES or vice versa?
1) Motherboard will not power up
2) The connection may cause a short circuit and burn out your motherboard and/or power supply
How do we tell if our power supply is ATX GES compliant?
First check the power supply label to see if it specifies whether the power supply is ATX, EPS12V, or ATX GES. If the power supply label does not specify which form factor it follows, look for the baseboard connector. The baseboard connector is usually the biggest connector leading from the power supply and is usually labeled P1.
The regular ATX form factor is easy to identify because the baseboard connector has only twenty pins. However, both the ATX GES and EPS12V have twenty-four pin connectors. Therefore, to differentiate between ATX GES and EPS12V connectors, you will have to use the color wiring schemes below.
ATX GES vs EPS 12V vs ATX Pin Out Chart
How do I make my non-ATX GES format power supply ATX GES compliant?
You can attach an ATX GES Conversion Cable to your existing EPS12V complaint power supply to convert to an ATX GES complaint power supply.
How long is the ATX GES Conversion Cable?
The ATX GES Conversion Cable is six inches in length for the 24-pin connector and twelve inches in length for the 8-pin connector. However, for most users, the length of the conversion cable is irrelevant since the conversion cable attaches to the power supply leads, which can already reach the motherboard by itself.
What gauge wire does the ATX GES Conversion Cable use?
The ATX GES Conversion Cable uses 18-gauge wires. Most power supplies on the market uses 18 or 20-gauge wire. Please keep in mind that the smaller the gauge number, the “bigger” the wire. An 18-gauge wire can handle more amperage than a 20-gauge wire.
Why was the EPS12V form factor created?
The EPS12V form factor is designed for server class motherboards that require more power. EPS12V is usually found on power supplies that are 460 Watts or greater.
My power supply is an EPS12V but my motherboard has an ATX12V connector, what do I do?
The EPS12V connector is designed to be backwards compatible with the ATX12V connector. However, due to limited space on the motherboard, motherboard designers placed capacitors next the ATX12V power connector. These capacitors will obstruct the EPS12V connector and you will need to purchase an EPS12V to ATX12V conversion cable kit. The EPS12V connector is shaped to fit the ATX12V in one way only. If the EPS12V connector does not come in contact with any other motherboard components when connecting to the ATX12V, then it will work fine without any sort of conversion cables.
Where do I buy an ATX GES Conversion Cable?
Unfortunatley, you can't order the ATX GES Conversion Cable here at PCW Microsystems anymore. Try eBay for a used cable.
You can attach an ATX GES Conversion Cable to your existing EPS12V complaint power supply to convert to an ATX GES complaint power supply.
How long is the ATX GES Conversion Cable?
The ATX GES Conversion Cable is six inches in length for the 24-pin connector and twelve inches in length for the 8-pin connector. However, for most users, the length of the conversion cable is irrelevant since the conversion cable attaches to the power supply leads, which can already reach the motherboard by itself.
What gauge wire does the ATX GES Conversion Cable use?
The ATX GES Conversion Cable uses 18-gauge wires. Most power supplies on the market uses 18 or 20-gauge wire. Please keep in mind that the smaller the gauge number, the “bigger” the wire. An 18-gauge wire can handle more amperage than a 20-gauge wire.
Why was the EPS12V form factor created?
The EPS12V form factor is designed for server class motherboards that require more power. EPS12V is usually found on power supplies that are 460 Watts or greater.
My power supply is an EPS12V but my motherboard has an ATX12V connector, what do I do?
The EPS12V connector is designed to be backwards compatible with the ATX12V connector. However, due to limited space on the motherboard, motherboard designers placed capacitors next the ATX12V power connector. These capacitors will obstruct the EPS12V connector and you will need to purchase an EPS12V to ATX12V conversion cable kit. The EPS12V connector is shaped to fit the ATX12V in one way only. If the EPS12V connector does not come in contact with any other motherboard components when connecting to the ATX12V, then it will work fine without any sort of conversion cables.
Where do I buy an ATX GES Conversion Cable?
Unfortunatley, you can't order the ATX GES Conversion Cable here at PCW Microsystems anymore. Try eBay for a used cable.
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